Larry Wheels

Professional Powerlifter

Larry Wheels went from living in an extreme poverty as a child to becoming one of the strongest powerlifters in the world. Growing up in poor neighborhoods of Bronx, New York, Larry’s childhood goal was to become stronger and bigger so nobody would bully him.

In order to achieve his goal, Larry began doing push-ups, pull-ups, and sit-ups every single day. With the help of his mother, he later built himself a basic weight set consisting of two 40-lbs concrete blocks and a broomstick. With this weight set, he was able to do more complex exercises, such as biceps curls and military press. Allowing him to grow his physique further.

Several years later, Larry began working at his first job, which enabled him to afford a gym membership. Training in a whole new environment full of weightlifting equipment, Larry began witnessing tremendous progress on his physique.

After years of lifting weights, Larry took everything a step further to become a professional powerlifter. By 2017, he set two world records in the sport, becoming an inspiration for people along the way.

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Athlete Statistics

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Accomplishments

Powerlifting Records

• Raw 2,275lbs total (810 lbs squat, 610 lbs bench press, 855 lbs deadlift) at 275 lbs of body weight

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Biography

Larry’s Difficult Upbringing

Larry Wheels grew up in Bronx, New York. While today, he lives a life full of success and recognition, his childhood was completely different. Larry grew up in poor neighborhoods of New York, spent time in foster homes, and became familiar with hunger and poverty from an early age.

On top of everything, Larry often had to face dangerous situations as a child, walking through the dark alleys and neighborhoods on his way to school. His initial motivation for strength training was that of safety. Larry wanted to look bigger and stronger so nobody would come near him.

Humble Beginnings in Weightlifting

As he had no money, Larry worked with what he had to become stronger. He would do hundreds of sit-ups, push-ups, and pull-ups every single day. He even did arm wrestling competitions with his mother at times, driving home his determination to become bigger and stronger.

Noticing the motivation within him, Larry’s mother helped him build his own weight set. It consisted of two blocks of concrete and an old broomstick. As Larry remembers, it wasn’t anything glamorous, but it fulfilled its purpose – he slowly became bigger, and stronger.

However, Larry had one problem, he had no knowledge of correct weight training whatsoever, which made his physical progress extremely slow.

He recalls;“Because cinder blocks were so heavy, I’d have to swing the weight up. It wasn’t pretty, but I did manage to do three sets of curls and military presses.” 

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Further Progress in the Gym

Coming into his late teens, Larry realized that if he wanted to continue progressing in his strength and size, he would need to join a gym. But in order to do so, Larry first had to find himself a job to pay for a gym membership.

Eventually, Larry achieved what he wanted – he began working at the job, subsequently paying for his first gym membership.

After he started training in the gym, Larry’s progress increased dramatically. His physique began looking stronger and bigger, and Larry became more confident in himself than ever.

After six months of lifting weights, Larry lost interest in bodybuilding and decided to train for strength instead. Having no father or coach to teach him, Larry began tailoring his own strength training program – he became a self-made athlete.

Turning to Powerlifting Competitions

After years of pushing himself against the ‘iron,’ Larry decided he would become a competitive powerlifter.

Before long, Larry found out about a nearby weightlifting competition and decided to attend it. Ever since then, he’s never looked back.

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Fulfilling His Ambitions

Throughout the years of competing in powerlifting shows, Larry built a solid reputation around his name. He not only achieved his ambitions of becoming bigger and stronger, he also built a career around his passion for powerlifting.

By 2017, Larry Wheels became a name every professional powerlifter recognized. On his way to the top, Larry had set two world records, totaling 2,275lbs in raw lifts (squat, bench press, and deadlift).

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Training

The Importance of Rest

When Larry first started training in the gym, he believed that the more he trained, the better. He’d work out with weights six times per week, barely taking any rest from his training sessions.

While this worked for Larry initially, he eventually stopped progressing in his physique. He said; “At a certain point, I couldn’t make any more gains, I couldn’t get heavier than 190-lbs.”

It was only after he reduced his workout frequency, when Larry once again began progressing in his strength and size.

Nowadays, Larry trains in the gym three times per week. He’s found this to be the most optimal frequency, as it allows him to fully recover between his extremely exhausting powerlifting sessions.

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Larry Wheels Powerlifting Workout Routine

Before beginning his actual workout, Larry will first warm-up his joints and muscles. He’ll do exercises such as hip circle and leg swings which help get blood to his muscles and prevent possible injuries.

His working sets are all about strength – he trains with a low number of reps, focusing on lifting as heavy as possible. Here’s how it looks;

Monday

• Hip Circle, 2 warm-up sets of 20 seconds per leg
• Leg Swing, 2 warm-up sets of 20 seconds per leg
• Deadlift, Warm up to 80% 1RM, 5 working sets of 5 reps
• Bent-Over Barbell Row, 3 sets of 10 reps with 65% 1RM
• Bench Press, Warm up to 75% 1RM, 5 working sets of 5 reps
• Floor Press, 5 sets of 3 reps with 85% 1RM
• Cable Push-Down, 8 sets of 10 reps

Wednesday

• Hip Circle, 2 warm-up sets of 20 seconds per leg
• Leg Swing, 2 warm-up sets of 20 seconds per leg
• Squat, Warm up to 90% 1RM, 4 working sets of 3 reps
• Leg Press, 5 sets of 8 reps with 70% 1RM

Friday

• Hip Circle, 2 warm-up sets of 20 seconds per leg
• Leg Swing, 2 warm-up sets of 20 seconds per leg
• Squat, Warm up to 90% 1RM, 4 working sets of 3 reps
• Bench Press, Warm up to 75% 1RM, 5 working sets of 5 reps
• Floor Press, 4 sets of 3 reps with 85% 1RM
• Cable Push-Down, 8 sets of 10 reps

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Nutrition

Differences in Diet

Larry’s diet when gaining size is based on a high-calorie intake. He consumes around 5500 calories and over 400 grams of fat throughout this period. His staple foods for ‘bulking’ include beef, rice, and avocados.

On the other hand, when ‘cutting’ down for a show, Larry greatly reduces his calorie intake. During this phase, he’ll consume 4400 calories, and only around 90 grams of fat. His staple foods for ‘cutting’ include salmon, chicken, sweet potatoes, and rice.

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Idols and Influences

For the better part of his life, Larry Wheels had to be his own greatest influence.

Ultimately, it was Larry’s determination and willpower that allowed him to push through the adversities, and to eventually become one of the biggest names in the powerlifting industry.

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What we can learn from Larry Wheels

Larry Wheels grew up in extremely difficult circumstances. As a child, he faced extreme poverty, hunger, and danger of living in neighborhoods filled with gangs. Larry’s only wish was to become bigger and stronger so nobody would bully him.

After years of battling through life’s challenges, Larry accomplished his goals, and much more. He became a successful powerlifter, setting two world records on his way to the top.

His incredible story leaves us with one simple, but powerful lesson: if you truly want something in life, you’ll find a way to get it.